Under Fire (1983)

Gene Hackman: Alex Grazier

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Quotes 

• Alex Grazier : [in Managua, on the phone talking to his New York editor, who doesn't think the latest news about a nightclub bombing in Nicaragua is important enough to supplant news about the Pope in Egypt]  Forget the Pope, Charlie, you got the Pope someplace every week. There's a big story down here, because it's the first sign of fighting *in* Managua... Get a map, Charlie. Look up Nicaragua. Drive to New Orleans, and then you turn "left"... Oh, like hell I'm editorializing. Look, the whole thing happened in a room full of press and C.I.A... How do I know they were C.I.A.? Because they wore name tags, what do you think? Look, we're backing a fascist government again, I know that's not exactly news, but, uh, see if you can find an angle, huh?

• Alex Grazier : [looking at his face in a mirror]  You were right. Everybody was right.

  Claire : About what?

  Alex Grazier : These cheekbones. What do you think of them?

  Claire : I like your cheekbones, Alex. Is there anything the matter?

  Alex Grazier : It's a face made for television.

  Claire : [slightly taken aback]  You mean you decided to go with the Network?

  Alex Grazier : Yeah... They're gonna' give me 10 grand a week to read the news. I'll be in 60 million homes every night. When I take a breath, all of America will take a breath. When my voice trembles, all of America will tremble. I'm gonna' be a star. My vocal inflection will be more important than who controls Congress.

  Claire : [grinning]  And your name will become a household word.

  Alex Grazier : [grinning]  Yeah, I'll become a household word.

• Alex Grazier : [indicating Russell]  I left this country because of this man. I came back because of this man. Now the cutest couple in town has got me lookin' up a horse's ass, on a midnight tour of Managua. What's goin' on?

  Claire : [long pause]  Rafael is dead.